Relocating to different cities in ID is often motivated by the cost of home prices. People don’t necessarily move out of their home town because they’re undesirable, but because they’re able to find better prices elsewhere.
Many people are looking to buy homes: not across the street, not somewhere else in town, but in other parts of the country. The motivator for this is that there are significant differences in home prices in different parts of the US. After all, home prices vary a great deal from one market to another. This is not a result of the places being undesirable.
In fact, many of the places with excellent values in home prices are very desirable. In these attractive cities, the lower prices are more about the local economy, the cost of living, and the availability of homes for sale.
A study done by REALTOR® identified the most popular cities that people search for when looking for a new home in another area that is different from where they currently live.
Home prices can vary widely from one market to another.
AreaVibes ranks American cities based on a livability score that considers many factors, which include the cost of living, crime, school, employment, and amenities. The livability score is a scale that goes up to 100.
| City | Median Home Price | Livability Score | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian, ID | $559,720 | 83 | 119 |
| Boise, ID | $539,730 | 83 | 114 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $359,820 | 86 | 99 |
| Moscow, ID | $482,258 | 86 | 111 |
| Caldwell, ID | $417,041 | 68 | 102 |
| Pocatello, ID | — | — | 91 |
Related: Housing Market Forecast
The cost of living is a big factor that impacts the quality of life for the average person. The cost of living includes the cost of housing, groceries, transportation, health care, utilities, and other goods and services. The national standard for America’s cost of living is set at 100.
The cost of living index in each city is a number that is higher or lower than 100. Higher figures than 100 represent a percentage higher than the national average. Lower numbers than 100 are cities that cost less than other cities in America.
These are all great cities to live in. For those who have the option to relocate and to get a better price when buying a home, these should all be considered as decent choices.
Use the city metrics together rather than relying on just one number. A lower median home price can improve your upfront budget and may reduce your monthly payment, but it does not automatically mean your overall living costs will be lower. The cost of living index helps you think beyond the home itself, while the livability score can help you judge whether the area matches your day-to-day priorities.
A practical way to compare options is to start with your purchase budget, then narrow cities based on the broader living costs you expect to carry after the move. From there, compare livability to decide whether the tradeoff is worth it. For example, one city may offer a lower home price but less overall fit for your lifestyle, while another may cost more yet better support the things you value most. If two cities look close on price, use the cost of living and livability measures to decide which one is more sustainable for you over time.
Sammamish Mortgage can help. We serve clients across Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and California. Since 1992, we’ve been providing several mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria to borrowers across the Pacific Northwest. If you are relocating within Idaho and comparing cities based on home value, the next step is to estimate payments, compare financing options, and confirm your budget before you shop. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator. Or, reach out to us if you are ready to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
There is not one single best city for everyone. Meridian, Boise, Idaho Falls, Moscow, Caldwell, and Pocatello each offer a different mix of home prices, cost of living, and livability. The better choice depends on how you balance purchase price, overall living costs, and day-to-day fit.
Among the cities with listed median home prices, Idaho Falls has the lowest median home price at $359,820 as of August 3, 2026. Pocatello appears in the cost of living list, but its median home price is not provided.
Pocatello has the lowest cost of living index on this list at 91, which is below the national baseline of 100. Idaho Falls is also relatively affordable with a cost of living index of 99 and the lowest listed median home price among the cities with home price data.
No. A lower median home price can help your upfront budget, but it does not automatically mean the total cost of living will be lower. Housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, utilities, and other everyday expenses also affect affordability.
Start with your home purchase budget, then compare broader living costs using the cost of living index. After that, use the livability score to judge whether the city fits your priorities. This helps you compare both affordability and long-term fit instead of relying on only one number.
A common reason is home prices. Many buyers look beyond their current town because prices can vary a lot from one market to another. Lower prices in another city do not necessarily mean the area is less desirable, since local economy, cost of living, and available homes for sale can all influence pricing.
The livability score is a city ranking measure from AreaVibes that considers factors such as cost of living, crime, schools, employment, and amenities. It can help you compare how well a city may support your day-to-day lifestyle beyond just the home price.
The listed livability scores are 83 for Meridian, 83 for Boise, 86 for Idaho Falls, 86 for Moscow, and 68 for Caldwell. No livability score is shown for Pocatello in the table.
Getting pre-approved can be a smart early step because it helps confirm your budget before you shop. If you are comparing Idaho cities based on home value, knowing your likely price range can make it easier to evaluate which markets fit your financing plans.
A practical next step is to estimate your payment, compare financing options, and confirm your budget before shopping for a home. Using a mortgage calculator, getting a rate quote, and seeking pre-approval can help you understand what you can comfortably afford in the Idaho city you choose.
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